Electric iron.



A. S. HEINEMAN.

ELECTRIC IRON.

APlfLlCATION FILED JULY 6.1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Q jfi 26 Falgii.

5 4 24 lgg/q 35 l/ 9 A. S. HEINEMAN.

ELECTRIC .IRON.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6,1914. 1,150,431. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- In den/for ldiraeses Y flri/aur- SI flea/*2 eman A. S. HEINEMAN.

ELECTRIC IRON.

APPHCATION FILED JULY 6. 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ARTHUR S. HEINEMAN, DE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC IRON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An 17, 1915.

Application filed July 6, 1914. Serial No. 849,239.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR S. HEINE- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Electric lron, of which the following is a specification.

An object of this invention is to provide an electric iron in which the electric current to the heating element may be automatically switched off whenever the iron is left standing during its non-use, thereby avoiding the danger of fires and the burning out of the heating element which might otherwise result by failure to turn off the current when not using the iron.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, convenient control of the heat in the electric iron during its use and to this end 1 preferably provide a rotatably mounted handle which when slightlyturned in one or the other direction respectively cuts in and out the heating element thus avoiding loss of time and labor that has heretofore attended the turning on and off of the electric current by a remote switch.

An advantage of this invention is the ease and convenience with which the electriccurrent may be switched on and off thereby minimizing the liability of scorching while using and also reducing the cost of: operation.

Another feature is the provision of latching means to latch the handle in position with the current switched on so that the heating element of the iron may be cut in and the iron heated during non-use it desired, said means being preferably effective by rocking the iron backward into an upended position.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the subjoined detailed description of several forms in which the invention may be embodied and I do not limit the invention to the specific construction shown, as various equivalents thereof may be substituted by the constructor.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in some of the forms in which it may be applied.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric I flat iron embracing this invention. Parts are shown in normal switclropen position assumed during non-use of the iron, the latch means, shown in section, being normally held retracted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal mid-section on line x 'zv Figs. 3 and 5, the flat iron body being omitted and the heating element shown diagrammatically. Parts are in switch open position corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental and elevation viewed from the right of Fig. 1, showing the rotatable handle in switch-open position. Fig. l is a fragmental cross section on line .v*, Figs. 1 and 2, solid lines representing the normal switch-open position of parts, and dot and dash lines indicating the switchclosed position thereof. Fig. 5 is a cross section through the switch-box on line 0c;r Figsl and 2, showing parts in the normal switch-open position. Fig. 6 is a cross section analogous to Fig. 5, showing parts in the switch-closed position. Fig. 7 is a tragmental broken elevation illustrating the iron in upended position with the handle, shown partly in section, latched in position with the current switched on. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of another form in which the invention may be embodied, some of the parts being broken away and some being shown in section for clearness of illustration. Parts are in normal switchopen position. Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal mid-section through said form on line :vw Fig. 11, the fiat iron body being omitted and the heating'element shown diagrammatically. Parts are in position corresponding to Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a fragmenta-l plan view of the form shown in Fig. 8, some parts being broken away and some shown in section. Fig. 11 is a fragmental cross section on line a: .'r Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 12 is a cross section analogous to Fig. 11, showing parts in a switch-closed position; Fig. 13 is a perspective illustrating the iron hung in switch-closed position from a separate bracket. Fig. 14 is a fragmental side elevation partly in mid-section illustrating still another form embodying the invention.- lhe heating element is shown diagrammatically. Fig. 15 is a front elevation partly in section on irregular line m ":v further illustrating the form shown in Fig. 15, parts being in switch-open po'sition. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary end view of said form showing parts in switch-closed position.

In the various forms illustrated, the iron body 1 is provided with the usual upright handle standards 2 and 3 between which is suitably mounted a rotatable handle 4;

that constitutes means to control the electric current to the heating element 5, shown diagrammatically in various "iews and which may be of any desired character adapted to heat the iron body. The usual lead cords 6, 7 are electrically connected to the heating element 5 through a switch 8 that is operatively connected to the rotatable handle to switch on and off the electric current to said heating element.

In Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the handle 4 has a central bore 9 through which extends a spindle 10 that is non-rotatably supported in the end standerds 2 and 3, the rounding tops of which standards are adapted to seat in end recesses 11 in the handle when said handle is in place between the standards and upon the spindle. Lock nuts 12 screwed upon the threaded end portions 13 of the spindle and against the standard faces serve to position the handle so that the same may be easily rotated back and forth about the stationary spindle.

A housing or switch-box 14 is suitably mounted either at the back or front of the iron, the latter position being shown in the drawings and said housing is formed by an enlarged cylindrical chamber that is preferably integral with the stationary hollow spindle 10. The switch 8 may be of any desirable form, preferably rotary, and in the instance shown comprises the two insulating members 15 and 16,the member 15 having the stationary contacts 17, 18 mountedtherein, said contacts being electrically connected through the hollow spindle by branches 19, 20 with the lead cord 6 and heating element 5 respectively. Movable contacts 21, 22 are rotatably mounted between the members 15 and 16 upon the switch pintle 23 and are adapted to contact with the stationary contacts 17, 18 respectively, see Fig. 6, to close the electrical circuit to the heating element 5. \Vhe'n the switch is mounted in place in the housing 14: a cover 24 is slipped over the open housing end to inclose the switch parts. An insulating arm 25 is arranged to actuate 'the movable contacts, which arm, in the instance shown, is connected to the handle 4 by means of a pin 26 that is seated in said handle and extends through slots 27 and 28 in the rear housing wall and insulating member 15 respectively. It is thus seen that the switch 8 is operatably connected to the handle 4, beingadapted to close the electric circuit when the handle is turned in one direction and to open the circuit when the handle is turned in the opposite direction. Each of the handle end recesses 11 have divergent flaring edges 29 and 30 adapted to alternately engage opposite sides of the standards to thereby act as stops to limit the rotary movement of the handle about the spindle 10 and consequently limit the movement of the switch.

It is particularly set forth that the handle turns back and forth upon a stationary spindle to operate the switch. This stationary spindle construction enables applicants rotatablymounted handle to be applied to the light handle standards of the ordinary electric iron forming a light but rigid construction in connection with applicants novel heat-controlling handle, as by this construction the spindle is secured rigidly in place between said handle standards and serves throughout practically its whole length, as a support for the handle to turn on. Said handle is arranged to be turned by hand in the direction of the curved arrows in Figs. 3 and 4; to actuate the switch to switch on the current to the I heating element, while automatic means are the end of the handle, said spring being se-- cured at the other end to the handle. Under the action of the spring 31 the handle is arranged to normally stand at rest with the recess edges 29, at the ends of the handle, in engagement with the standards 2, 3, and the parts are so disposed that in this position the switch actuating pin 26 maintains the movable contacts 21, 22 out of contact with the stationary contacts 17, 18, thereby normally opening the electric circuit to the heating element.

An upright tube 33 is arranged between the rear end of the hollow spindle 10 and the iron body, and adjacent the rear standard 3 and affords protection to both the electric branches 20 that lead from the switch to the heating element and the electric branch 34 that leads from the heating element to the cord 7. The electric branch 19t o the switch and electric branch 34 from the heating element may be each provided with ordinary nibs 35 that are mounted in a suitably supported bushing 36 for connection with an ordinary plug 37 that carries the cords 6, 7.

It is sometimes desirable that the iron be heated during its non-use, as for instance, when first connecting the cords '6, 7 to the iron, there being a lapse of some time before the iron becomes hot enough for use and to facilitate the practical operation of the iron, suitable latch means are provided to restrain the spring 31 to hold the handle in switch closed position at this time. This may be accomplished in various ways. In the instance shown a detent 38 in the rear handle end at one side thereof is adapted to be engaged by a plunger 39 that is mounted to reciprocate in a chamber 10 rearwardly of the handle, said chamber being carried upon a supporting limb 41 that may be a vertical continuation of the usual rear iron rest 42. Said detent is so arranged relative to the handle and connected switch, that when said handleis turned to close the switch the detent is moved to a position opposite the plunger.

The plunger is held normally retracted by a compression spring 43 interposed between the end cap 44: and shoulder 45, there being a stem 46 on the opposite side of said shoulder, which stem extends through the cham ber end and affords means to move the spring restrained plunger into the detent in the handle.

If it is desired to heatthe iron during non-use, it may be rocked backward upon the lower rest 42 and over upon the stem 46 into an up-ended position. the handle having been turned to close the switch, whereupon said stem depresses the plunger 1nto the detent, see Fig. 7, and the spring 31 which constantly tends to hold the handle in normal switching position, is restrained so long as the iron continues to remain in up-ended' position upon the rest 42 and stem 46. Upon rocking the iron back again into upright standing position the plunger is retracted from the detent by the spring 43 and the handle is again free.

In the form shown in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive, the rotatable handle comprises a cylindrical sleeve 48 that is rotatably mounted upon a central core preferably formed of two similar sections 49. 50 that are secured to the standards 2, 3 respectively by the 7 screws 51. The core sections are each provided near their outer ends with annular shoulders 52 that engage with the ends of the sleeve to position the same in place upon the core. Intermediate said sections 49, 50 and inside the sleeve is positioned the ro tary switch 8 having the insulating arm 25 to turn the movable contacts 21, 22 into and out of contact with the stationary contacts 1T, 18 to respectively close and open the electrical circuit to the heating element 5. The switch 8 is connected to the sleeve 18 by the pin 26 extending through a hole 49 in the sleeve and into the switch arm 25 and the spring 31, acting to open the switch, is coiled around the switch pintle 23 and has one end secured to the arm 25 and the other end secured to the insulating member 16. The stop means '29 and 30 are directly mounted in the switch and are adapted to alternately engage with the movable contacts 21. 22 to thereby limit the rotary movement of the switch. In this form the invention is shown as applied in connection with an ordinary detachable plug 53, one terminal of said plug being provided with a bifurcated nib 54 instead of the usual lead 6. Said nib 5% is adapted to engage with nib 55, seated in an insulated bushing 56 that is connected to the branch 20 leading from the switch. whenever the plug is in place in the socket 57. The dismantled lead cord (3 is provided with a nib 58 to seat in an insulated bushing 59 that is connected to the branch 19' leading to the switch. The cords 6, 7 are thus connected, one to the switch in the handle and one in the plug 53 respectively, the branch 20 through the knife switch 51, 55, serving to connect the switch with said heating element which in turn is connected by branch 31 to the plug and lead 7. In connection with this form, also the form shown in Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive, the means for latching the handle in switch closed position to heat the iron during non-use consists of a separate bracket 60 having a supporting base (31 and arms 62 from which arms the iron is adapted to hang by the handle. 'hen the handle is hung in switch closed position. the weight of the iron restrains the spring 31' from turning the handle to open the switch so long as the iron continues to hang from said arms.

Still another form shown in Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive comprises a cam (33 secured to the hand] 1 and a suitable switch. knife form in this instance, positioned below said handle, said switch being operatably connected to the handle by means of a stem 61, upon which the cam is adapted to ride to depress it to close the switch whenever the handle is turned in one direction. The spring 81 coiled around one of the spindle studs 65 for the handle serves to automatically turn the handle in the other direction to withdraw the cam and thereby allow the switch spring (36 to open the switch. Stops 29 and 30", similar to those embodied in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 7. inclusive, limit the rotary movement of the handle.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have devised an electric iron in which the electric currentthercto is turned on and off by slightly rotating-the handle back and forth, affording such ease and convenience in controlling the current that liability of scorching is minimized and cost of operation is appreciably reduced; also the electric current to the iron is automatically switched off whenever the operators hand is withdrawn from the handle as the iron is left in upright standing position, thus affording a safety feature.

I claim 1. The combination with an electric iron body having a rotatably mounted handle, of. a switch operatably connected to said handle to close the electric circuit when the handle is turned in one direction, spring means to turn the handle in the opposite direction to open the electric circuit, and latch means mounted on the iron to restrain said spring means for the purpose of holding the handle in position to close said circuit.

2. The combination with an electric iron body having a heating element and handle standards, of a stationary spindle supported in said standards. a rotatable handle mounted upon the spindle and between said standards, a switch connected to said handle to open and close the electric circuit to said heating element, said switch being actuated by back and forth rotary movement of the handle upon the spindle, and stop means to limit the rotary handle movement upon the stationary spindle thereby limiting the switch movement.

3. The combination with an electric iron body having a heating element and handle standards, of a handle provided with end recesses having divergent flaring edges, said standards being adapted to seat in said recesses to rotatably mount said handle, a switch connected to the handle and actuated by rotary movement of the handle to open and close the electric circuit to said heating element. said divergent. flaring edges being adapted to alternately engage opposite sides of the standards to limit said rotary handle movement.

4. The combination in an electric iron having handle standards, of a stationary spindle supported in said standards, a rotatable handle mounted upon the spindle, a switch operatably connected to said handle to close the electric circuit when the handle is turned in one direction and to open the electric circuit when the handle is turned in the other direction.

The combination in an electric iron having handle standards, of a stationary spindle supported in said standards, a rotatable handle mounted upon the spindle, a housing positioned at one end of said handle, a switch in said housing, said housing being provided with a slot in its rearwall, and a pin mounted in the handle and extending through the slot to operatably connect said switch to said handle to o'penv and close the electric circuit by rotary movement of the handle upon the stationary spindle.

(5. The combination in an electric iron having a heating element and handle standards, of a hollow spindle supported in said standards, a rotatable handle mounted upon the hollow spindle, a housing positioned at one end of said handle and communicating with said hollow spindle, a switch in said housing, said switch being connected with 'the heating element through said hollow spindle and being operatably connected to said handle to open and close the electric circuit to the heating element by rotary movement of the handle.

7. The combination in an electric iron having a heating element and handle standards, of a hollow spindle supported in said standards, a rotatable handle mounted upon the hollow spindle, a housing positioned at one end of said handle and communicating with one end of said hollow spindle, an upright tube disposed between the other end of said hollow spindle and the iron body, a switch in said housing, said switch being connected with the heating element through said hollow spindle and upright tube, and being operatably connected to said handle to open and close the electric circuit to the heating element by rotary movement of the handle.

8. The combination in an electric iron having a rotatably mounted handle, of a switch operatably connected to said handle to close the electric circuit when the handle is turned in one direction, spring means to turn the handle in the opposite direction to open the electric circuit, and spring latch means mounted rearwardly of the handle and adapted to hold the handle in circuit closing position whenever the iron is rocked backward into an up-ended position.

9. The combination in an electric iron having a rotatably mounted handle, of a switch operatably connected to said handle to close the electric circuit when the handle is turned in one direction, spring means to turn the handle in the opposite direction to open the electric circuit, a chamber positioned rearwardly of said handle, a spring plunger mounted to reciprocate in said chamber and held normally retracted, said plunger being adapted to engage the handle to hold the same in circuit closing position whenever the iron is rocked backward into an up-ended position.

10. The combination in an electric iron having a heating element and handle standards, of a stationary hollow spindle supported in said standards, a rotatable handle mounted upon the hollow spindle, said hollow spindle terminating in an integral housing chamber, a switch in said housing chamher, said switch being connected with the heating element through said hollow spindle and being operatably connected to said handle to open and close the electric circuit to the heating element by rotary movement of the handle.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 29th day of June, 1914.

Janus R. TOWNSEND, WILLIAM N. KIRKBY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

